Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-05-15

CoVereu anu InRG C0nClnuRl Qre8Q thai
, Malerson would continue to annoy her,
, and eventually reveal the secret which he
held in terror over her head-all these
things combined to render existence to
her burden rather than pleasure.
The custom very prevalent in the south
: and ever such in France-of having g
chamber separate from that of her hus-
, band-an idea which should have occurred
to the unfortunate Mr.. CaudIe-alone
prevented Mr.. Delorme from learning the
state of feeling 10 which his unfortunate
wife had been reduced. He, however,
paid but little attention to her altered
appearance, or if he did he probably at
tributed it to the cause which made him
so miserable-the loss of his almost
worshipped daughter.
To and fro-fretting and moaning
paced the unhappy woman at the hour
which we have named. Suddenly q noise
was heard upon the piazza outside of the
chamber window, and the next instant
the form OF man, who had assembled
from below by some grape vines which
were trained over the lattice work, met
her eye. She was on the point of scream
ing and giving an alarm, when he step
ped boldly through an open window into
the room, and she recognized John NAL
erson, her greatest dread and terror.
Sinking, pale and almost fainting, into
chair, she hOarseIy whispered:
"For heavens sake, man, why do you
come here why do you torment me P"
And she trembled yet the more when
she saw, by his flushed face, Redeemed eye
and staggering gait, that he was intoxi-
} Gated.
"Don't make fuss, or get scared, old
girl. I've come to see you a Bit" said
he, in the thick, husky tone which always
indicates intoxication. "You see, Pm
goin' off in the mornin', and l wanted
to say good-by to ye, just for old times
sake. Lordee, how you did love me once!
Come, gives kiss on the strength o.
that Come, no hangin' back"
And he staggered toward her.
"Stand back, Jack Mslerson-stand
back, or your life is not worth g straw!
will scream, and bring those here who
will not wait to ask why you came before
they punish your audacity."
The attitude of the lady as she sprung
to her feet, and the low, determined tone
in which she spoke, Tor q moment abashed
the rufian. and he paused.
"Sit We down, old gall" said he, after
a moments hesitation. "Sit ye down and
have g. talk with your old Jack. He
won't trouble you if you'u he quiet"
And he took seat, and seemed more So
Der than when he entered the room. Mrs.
Deiorme also sat down, for she was too
weak to remain upon her feet.
"Say what you have to say quickly and
begone!" she whispered again.
81 am so dry must wet my whistle
before I try to talk" said the ruffian,
! EoIZ - &c AocI I,
plying it to his lips. After taking so
her, saying: "Hadn't you better take
some, Hat, just to steady your nerves?
You look pale. I reckon the old gent
don't feed you overly and above common
well!"
eyes, give me the iquor!" she said,
hoarsely, as she cIutched the flask. "I
need strength, for there is g rough, wild
path before me, and l know that L must
tread it"
She drained the flask to the very bot
tom, while he looked On in stupid won
der.
"That'u make you as drunk as the boys
L just left" said he, as she cast the
empty flask uponsthe floor. 4
cit will give me strength to defy you,S
you heartless Villain!-tO tell you that I
will no longer be the slave of terror-no
longer fear to call my soul my own
bend to you no LANCER! Dog, do your
worst! You are not my master neW!"
she cried, while the color flew to her
cheeks; her form seemed to swell with
strength and passion, and her eyes flashed
furi ously.
Jack Malerson was a bold, bad man,
sober or drunk; but the very desperation
of Mrs. Delorme intimidated him, and he
fairly shrank from her angry gaze.
"Leave me, coward!-leaye me before
call help and give you into the hang
mans hands!" she cried, in a reckless,
fearless tone.
"Hattie, Hattie, don't get excited" ne
stammered. "Don't, that's good girl
now!"
$50! Do you hear me? Col" she
cried.
"Don't make so much noise or they
will hear you," said the villain, growing
sober with fear.
"They shall hear me if you don't leave
soon!"
"But, Hattie, if I breathe one word
tell who and what you are, it will be
your ruin!"
"Well, let ruin come! Better that at
once Inau d long lie OF misery ana SuS- /
pense! defy you! Do your worst! !
HeIp-here, help!"
Her last words were uttered in her
loudest and shrillest scream.
"Woman, you will ruin me and your
self" said Malerson furiously. "Hush, !
you fool, hush!"
And he seized her by the throat and !
tried to choke her into silence.
At first she threw him back from her |
and uttered another wild and piercing
scream; but he, thoroughly maddened, |
seized her by the Il fost with both hands,
and crushed her d~wn on the floor with /
all his might. LIZ, vain she gasped for
breath; her eyes s; emed to be starting
from her head, - tongue Iolled out of
her mouth, he face grew black-a
moment more anu there would have been
no life in her. hut crash was heard
the door flew open and dozen men with
lights in their lands, and arms also,
rushed in. The first was Mccullough
witha rife in his hands.
One glance tod him what MaIerson
was doing, and before the villain could
do more than res@se his intended victim
and turn toward he window to make his
escape, the buA$ of the rangers rife